Political
After lengthy negotiations, we are pleased to announce that the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) and Orange County Board of Supervisors have reached an agreement to introduce an innovative workers’ compensation Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. This will give our county law enforcement officers and deputies the health care they deserve while helping Orange County save taxpayer dollars.
California Senate Bill 54, which took effect on January 1, 2018, placed restrictions on collaboration between local custody operations and federal law enforcement authorities. These communication restrictions have resulted in 45 criminals with federal detainers re-offending following their release back into the community.
We have been working tirelessly for many months to bring you a new website that is among the best in the law enforcement field. We are very excited to announce that it is completed and has been officially launched.
Orange County Undersheriff Don Barnes appeared to be on track to become the county’s new sheriff, but it was unclear late Tuesday if he could lock the position and avoid a November run-off.
The Orange County Registrar of Voters has confirmed that incumbent Roger Hilton has won the OCERS Board of Retirement Safety Member election. The unofficial cumulative report shows that the AOCDS 1st vice president received nearly 64% of the votes. His challenger, OC firefighter Jeremy Vallone, received about 36%.
Several Orange County sheriff’s deputies were honored Friday with awards for their courage in 2017, including some who helped victims and were wounded during the deadly Las Vegas shooting in October.
The Medal of Valor ceremony was held at the Hotel Irvine where 27 deputies were honored, 14 of whom got the Medal for Lifesaving and six who received the Medal of Merit.
By now, you should have received your OCERS Board of Retirement Safety Member election ballot in the mail. AOCDS 1st Vice President Roger Hilton is the incumbent and is being challenged by an OC firefighter, so it is crucial that you vote for Roger Hilton and return your postage-paid ballot as soon as you receive it.
I am pleased to announce that Francisco Ochoa has been appointed by the AOCDS Board of Directors as the newest board member from our recently added bargaining units consisting of probation officers, Sheriff-Coroner investigators, public assistance investigators and park rangers.
The AOCDS Board and Political Action Committee (PAC) met after the live broadcast of the AOCDS Sheriff’s Candidate Forum. Both candidates, Undersheriff Don Barnes and Aliso Viejo Mayor Dave Harrington, were interviewed by a panel of four and invited to share additional comments from a questionnaire they submitted.
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens will not issue another extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing the dual-agency approach to search and rescue missions in remote areas with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).